Name: Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care
Address: Mesa, AZ

Dear Steve and Jennifer,

Could you please e-mail me your snail mail address, as there was something that I wanted to send to you.

We think of Ann everytime we drive through Phoenix and go by the 202 exit, as Ann taught me that way to get to her house.

And I have such sweet memories of visiting her and Ann at her house. She was always such a sweet and thoughtful hostess.

And she also taught us now to keep the rope tied in the horse trailer, to make it easier to tie our horses.

Love,
Carol Wittels and Scott and GOOD BOY, our dog
CarolWittels@aol.com

My beloved Aunt Ann taught me how to ride a horse, valued good well water and took me in like a daughter for a whole summer.  It was THE BEST SUMMER of my entire life, getting to know my family and living in Arizona.

Ann had the best sense of humor and I can still feel the warmth of her smile.

I have her notes in my notebook from when I earned a Horsemanship award during High School.  I cherish her remarks and miss her.

ANNE, YES YOU SAID I COULD CALL YOU ANNE. I WAS CLEANING THE BACK PORCH AND AS USUAL I LOOKED OVER AT OUR WALL THAT WE HELD SO MANY TAKLS OVER. IT SURE IS HARD TO BREAK A HABIT OF SO MANY YEARS.I CAN STILL HEAR YOU SAYING THAT TIME HAS A WAY OF HEALING THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES. SO ANNE, KNOW THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THE LOVED ONES. I WILL MISS YOU.

Mom, it's been a month since you left.  You're still everywhere and in everything we do.  Whisker is doing well, but we all miss you.  
The D-Backs are kinda bad (but you knew that) but that never mattered to you anyway, you still loved watching them.
You are in our thoughts everyday, every hour.

Ann, on the afternoon of your memorial service I sat on my deck in Burnsville, MN and I was enjoying a glass of Yellowtail Merlot which you had gotten me "hooked" on.  There was a breeze that moved my wind chimes and I felt a stir.  I looked at the clock and it was 4:00p (2:00p in AZ) which was the start of your service.  I was feeling bad because I could not be there to honor you. BUT YOU CAME TO ME and I cried "Ann I hear you".  I did not know that the last time I hugged you in AZ when we left for MN this spring was going to be the last time I'd be able to hug you.  Memories will have to fill the void now.  You can be sure we will "toast" you at our next Sunset Party this fall on Cabana Circle and you will be missed.  Thank you for being a wonderful neighbor and friend.  Love you.

Ann and I met only once or twice when she came to California for visits, and liked her right away. On both occasions I liked her spirit and love for family and soon a correspondence followed.
I am truly sorry that the distance made
it difficult to continue the letters but in my mind Ann was always a friend.

 Wish the family lots of strength and know she's in a good place. 
Inez Jonathans - Hidden Valley Lake,
Middletown, CA

Ann was such a dear friend to us.  Generous to a fault :), always interested in what was going on with you, kind and thoughtful.  She is greatly missed, but is in our hearts.  We will never forget her.  

Our deepest sympathy to Steve and Jennifer, Ross and Anita and all of the family.

Ann was one of the first friends I met here in Arizona. Moving from California to take care of my folks, I didn't know anyone in the Mesa area, and Ann became an incredible blessing in my life. We met at a bowling meeting, and our friendship blossomed while eventually playing on the same bowling team, trying new restaurants for lunch every week, and taking in shows at the    Broadway Palm Theatre. My heart is saddened with this loss, but  the wonderful friendship I shared with Ann is one that fills me with  great joy. You are missed, dear friend. 
-Dot Brown

My thoughts and prayers to you and your family, with the warmest memories of a beautiful person. Love you Cosmo

I was so sorry to hear of Ann's passing.  Unbeknownst to her, she played a major part in determining the life I have today.  Other than my grandmother, Ann was most responsible for educating and encouraging me in my early equestrian endeavors.  From the time I was a small child up into my teens, she gave me the chance to ride and learn.  As an adult, my husband and children share my passion.  The fact that my family lives a ranch lifestyle has much to do with Ann's kindness and generosity.  I never really thought about how much she influenced me until I saw her name in the paper.

My thoughts and prayers are with all the family, especially Ross (my long ago friend) and Steve (you were so young then).  Your mom touched many lives and truly made the world a better place.

Lynne (Talmage) Olson

My deep condolences to Ross and Steve. Your mom was always so kind to me whenever I visited Tucson. She was always generous and forgiving. Uncle Bob

My condolences to Steve and your family for the loss of your mother.

Ann and I were coworker courtroom clerks at Pima County Superior Court.  On many occasions I asked for her assistance; she was one of the most knowledgeable courtroom clerks due to her extensive experience.  I really missed her after her retirement.  She was a wonderful person.  My sincere  condolences to her family.

Ann was an inspiration to me as a mom.  She was involved with Ross and Steve, attending their sports events without fail and working hard to be there for them in many different ways.  The proof of that is in their accomplishments and character.

Ann's generosity in having my daughter, Rose, spend summers with her at the Barker ranch was really wonderful.  She was a very loving aunt to Ann and Diana too.

I don't know what Mom would have done without all the help Ann gave her in Tucson.  I will be forever grateful to her for that.

Bye Ann.  You will be sorely missed.

Joan Barker McConohy

For my years living in Tucson she treated me as one of her sons and I fondly referred to her as MOM. Her kindness extended to me will never be forgotten.

Aunt Ann had the warmest heart, an indominable spirit, and a terrific sense of humor.  She was a consummate athletic horsewoman and a loyal friend.  Her passion for family was amazing.  We will miss her greatly!


May 24,2012

Ann was such a thoughtful generous and caring person. She was there for me when I needed some one to help me thru the bad days with a hug and a smile. I will miss our visits and talks over the wall. It seemed we always had something to discuss.
  I also want to  thank her for sharing her best friend "Whisker" with me. We both shared a love for him.
   She was a true friend and nieghbor. I will miss her terribly, but look forward to greeting her some day with a hug and a smile.
   My condolences to her family.
   Love, Edna Durand, Mesa, Az.

Dear Steve, Jennifer, family including Whisker,

We were so sorry to hear the voicemail from Jennifer that Ann had died.

We so enjoyed visiting her in her home in Mesa.

My husband and I were both attorneys in the Pima County Public Defender's Office, and she worked in the courtroom for several judges. She was always professional but also very sweet and friendly.

She showed my husband how to tie and leave a rope inside the horse trailer, which made it much easier for my husband to load our two horses.

We enjoyed several nice visits in her home. Twice she tricked us. She said we could take her out to dinner, but when we got to her house to pick her up, one time there was a pizza guy delivering pizza.

Another time she grilled us delicious hamburgers with homemade sides and cookies and cake.

Good Boy had fun playing with Whisker. If Whisker is still alive, we hope he gets to live with his cousins, which he did when Ann was not available.

If Whisker has died, we are sure he is greeting Ann in heaven.

We would love to go to the memorial service, but we will be in California.

We are sad to think we will not see her smiling face down here again.

Love,
Carol Wittels and Scott McNamara and GOOD BOY, our dog

Dear Steve and Jennifer and family, including Whisker,

We were so sad to hear Jennifer's voice mail tonight, but grateful that she told us the news.

We love Ann.

We were both lawyers in the Pima County Public Defender's office and Ann was in the courtroom, working for various judges.

Ann was always very professional but also very sweet and friendly.

She showed my husband how to tie a rope and leave it inside the horse trailer, to make it easier to load our two horses.

We had several nice visits with her in Mesa, but she tricked us. One time we said we were taking her out to dinner, and when we got there, the pizza delivery guy showed up a moment later.

Another time we were going to take her out to eat, and she grilled delicious hamburgers and homemade sides for us, with homemade cookies and cake.

We will be in California, so we won't be in Arizona for her memorial service.

"Whatever is loved, absent or present, is always in the heart."

We don't know if Whisker is still alive. If so, we hope he gets to live with his cousins.

If not, I am sure he is welcoming Ann to heaven.

We are so sorry that Ann died and thinking that we won't have any more visits with her in Mesa, but relieved that she went quickly and hopefully did not suffer.

Sincerely and love,

Carol Wittels and Scott McNamara and GOOD BOY, our dog who played with Whisker

Dear Ann,
I lit you a candle at home yesterday in our fireplace that you loved to sit in front of.  This virtual one will burn longer and I hope you know I keep a vigil for you.  I loved you deeply.  Your daughter, Jennifer

Ann's wonderful strength of spirit and her loyal, unconditional friendship of many years will be precious memories for me. I am so saddened by her passing. I send my deepest sympathy.

May 23, 2012




Ann was a great friend, always ready to listen and offer help or where you can get it.
The last time I talked to Ann She said she was planning on bowling this fall with our league,  now we will miss that friendly smile and hug.  Our thoughts and prayers our with the family at this sad time.

Charlotte Rosenberry secretary Sunland Village Bowling League

Your memory Ann, will always be a light in our lives.

We are missing our friend Ann.  Her passing leaves a void in our lives that will not go away,  fond memories will remain forever in our hearts.  Steve/Ross/family,our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.  We grieve with you for our great loss.  We have comfort that we will see her again someday and greet her with a hug and a smile.

Love and deepest sympathy to all the family.
     From Lois Craig and family.

My mom, Ann Barker Valdez, is best described by me in one word as "generous".  She gave freely of herself and was constantly concerned with the well being and feelings of others.

Mom passed away under the gentle care of Hospice.  She was comfortable and we were with her. It's okay...it happened quickly, but was not completely unexpected. 
 
If you are a friend or family member, I encourage you to share your remembrances of mom. You, like me, know she was a good person.  No, actually, we know - she was a great person!  Have peace.

OBITUARY

Ann Barker Valdez

April 17, 1937 – May 22, 2012

Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care

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